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Essay Plans- William the Conqueror, Hastings, Edward the Confessor
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Past Paper Questions:Harthacnut 1035-42
● Assess the stability of the period 1035-42
Edward the Confessor
▪ Assess the reasons why Edward the Confessor found it difficult to rule England (2018)
▪ How far was Edward the Confessor’s lack of leadership qualities responsible for the difficulties he faced?
(2017)
▪ How far were the Godwin’s a problem for Edward the Confessor? (2016)
▪ Edward the Confessor was an effective monarch.’ How far do you agree with this view? (Sample)
Hastings
▪ William of Normandy’s successful preparations for his invasion of England were the main reason for his
victory at Hastings.’ How far do you agree? (2017)
▪ Assess the reasons for William of Normandy’s victory at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. (Sample)
▪ Harold was defeated at Hastings because he was unlucky rather than incompetent.’ How far do you agree?
(2020)
▪ How far was William of Normandy’s victory at Hastings the result of the errors made by Harold II? (2019)
Level of Change under William I
▪ How far do you agree that it was Lanfranc who ensured good relations between the crown and the Church
during the reign of William I? (2018)
▪ To what extent did the Norman conquest change the government and administration? (2016)
▪ How far was William I challenged more by external than internal threats as king of England after 1066?
(2020)
▪ ‘Norman men and Norman methods replaced Anglo-Saxon men and methods in the government of England
after 1066.’ Assess this view. (2019)
Brief Summary of key events in the reign
Edward
During the reign of Edward the Confessor, which lasted from 1042 to 1066, several key events took place in . Here is
a summary of some of the most notable events:
● Accession to the Throne: Edward the Confessor ascended the throne in 1042 after the death of his half-
brother, Harthacnut. He was the son of Æthelred the Unready and Emma of Normandy.
● Stability and Law Enforcement: Edward sought to establish stability within England by implementing a
strong legal system. He appointed powerful earls to govern regions and enforce his laws. He also introduced
reforms to strengthen the royal administration and reestablished the coinage system.
● Construction of Westminster Abbey: Edward initiated the construction of Westminster Abbey, a grand
church in London. The abbey was consecrated in 1065, shortly before Edward's death. It became a symbol of
royal power and religious devotion.
, ● Conflict with Godwin Family: Edward had a strained relationship with the powerful Godwin family,
particularly Earl Godwin of Wessex. Tensions arose due to disputes over power and influence. However, in
1052, Edward was forced to reinstate Godwin and his sons, who had been exiled, due to popular support.
● Norman Influence: Edward had close ties to Normandy, as his mother was of Norman descent. He
surrounded himself with Norman advisors and invited Norman nobles to his court, which laid the foundation
for future Norman influence in England.
● Lack of Heir: Edward's reign was plagued by his failure to produce an heir, leading to a succession crisis upon
his death. This ultimately led to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
● Edward's Piety and Canonization: Edward was known for his piety and devotion to the Church. He was
referred to as "the Confessor" due to his reputation for holiness. After his death, he was canonized as a saint
in 1161.
William
● Norman Conquest (1066): William, the Duke of Normandy, invaded England after the death of King Edward
the Confessor. He claimed the English crown, which led to the famous Battle of Hastings on October 14,
1066. William's victory at Hastings solidified his control over England, establishing Norman rule.
● Coronation and Consolidation: Following the conquest, William was crowned King of England on Christmas
Day in 1066. He faced opposition from rebellious English nobles, particularly in the north of England, leading
to several revolts and uprisings that he ruthlessly suppressed.
● Domesday Book (1086): One of the most notable achievements of William's reign was the compilation of the
Domesday Book. Completed in 1086, it was a comprehensive survey of the lands and resources of England.
The book served as a record of taxation, providing valuable information about the wealth and resources of
the kingdom.
● Feudal System and Castle Building: William introduced feudalism to England, granting land to his loyal
supporters in exchange for military service and loyalty. This led to the construction of numerous castles
across England, symbolizing Norman authority and acting as military strongholds.
● Legal Reforms: William initiated legal reforms, bringing elements of Norman law to England. He established
the Curia Regis, a central royal court, and introduced the concept of trial by combat. His legal reforms laid
the foundation for the development of the English common law system.
● Norman Influence: William and his Norman followers brought significant cultural and linguistic changes to
England. Norman French became the language of the elite, while English remained the language of the
common people. The fusion of Norman and English traditions shaped the beginnings of the English language
and culture we know today.
● Succession and Legacy: William's reign was not without challenges, including conflicts with neighbouring
kingdoms such as Wales and Scotland. Upon his death in 1087, his eldest son Robert inherited Normandy,
while his second son William Rufus became King of England. The Norman Conquest left a lasting impact on
England, reshaping its political, social, and cultural landscape.
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